Nathalie Lieven QC

Barrister, Blackstone Chambers


Nathalie is one of the UK's leading silks, specialising in energy, public law, human rights, planning and environmental law.

Nathalie took silk in 2006 and before that was on the A Panel of Treasury Counsel. She appears regularly in the High Court, Court of Appeal, planning inquiries and a range of tribunals. She regularly represents central government, local authorities, NGOs and private clients.

Key recent work includes representing Cuadrilla in its planning inquiry for planning permission for fracking; acting for Third Energy in the recent JR on their fracking consent; representing EDF on Hinkley Point C JRs; advising the Government on nuclear energy policy; a successful challenge to the Air Quality Plan for ClientEarth; and representing the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in its challenge to the law on the termination of pregnancy in Northern Ireland.

Nathalie is highly rated by both leading independent legal directories, Legal 500 and Chambers UK, across a range of specialist fields, including public, planning, human rights, local government, environment and social housing. Chambers UK has listed Nathalie as one of its 'Stars at the Bar', citing her "formidable advocacy skills" and noting in particular her public law expertise and pre-eminence in the fields of planning, environmental and human rights law.

She was named Environment and Planning Law Silk of the Year at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2017.